The SI Undergraduates: Syringes, Yoghurt Pots and Legs in the Air part 4

[MrsKin90]

I hope this name is okay. It's late and nobody is volunteering so it'll have to do 😂

Starting yet another thread on self insemination before our other one kicks us out!

Welcome to THE most supportive group you could wish for if you’re starting or you are already on a self insemination journey.
Remember, nothing is TMI and you are not alone. 💖

Err tagging at random but likely to forget someone...

@Makingnumber2
@Janefx40
@primrosechill
@Sydney1986x
@Birchybirch
@Lori23TTC
@Oilyoilyoilgob
@Carol1980

I know I've definitely missed people 😬 sorry!

I'm not tagging our bfp ladies right now (would you want to be tagged?! I've no idea) but hope they keep an eye on us and chip in often with wisdom and support ❤️

@Carol1980 I'm so happy to hear you're feeling positive and you're feeling the progesterone is helping you 🥰 fingers crossed this is the cycle for you 🤞 back to work tomorrow sucks. I'd say do whatever makes you happier this cycle, test early if you're happier with that.

@Makingnumber2 hoping your non-scientific thinking is secretly scientific and those extra wees are a good sign! Goodluck not testing until 12dpo!

@primrosechill I'm very interested to hear your update and glad it's going well so far for you. Hope tomorrow's egg retrieval goes well! I'm fascinated too and welcome you stopping by to update us even if it's not technically an IVF thread. Sending you huge hugs and praying for a positive outcome ❤️ you're very inspiring!

@Oilyoilyoilgob sorry to hear you've been struggling with headaches ☹️ hope your OPKs light up soon and hope you're on your way into your tww.

@HannahAD welcome 🥰

I hope all our lovely ladies are doing okay wherever you are in your cycles now. I wanted to tag and reply to everyone but I've run out of flump midway through!!

I'm CD6 today. Sperm analysis results due Wednesday. OPKs starting CD12. Didn't ovulate until CD24 last cycle so no rush! Also need to have my 21 day bloods redone this time around. That's it from me for now! Xxx

@HannahAD
Welcome ❤️

As @Makingnumber2 we pretty much follow the same kinda routine.
At the moment I'm using conceive plus ovulation support vitamins, as well as the conceive plus fertility support. I also use fertility gel ( like preseed etc) I use the clearblue opk advance digital tests too 😁

Can I ask the reason that you have decided to try SI ?

For most of us ladies here it's due to delayed ejaculation/ performance anxiety in our partners as well as a few ladies who suffer from Vaginismus x

So we all have different reasons x and we might be able to help with suggestions x
There won't be one of us that isn't going. Through what you are 🤣 the ladies here are a total wealth of knowledge x

@MrsKin90 hiiiiyyyyaaaa

Thanks for the update x

Hopefully the bloods come back ok again and that your not stressing too much x

@MrsKin90
Totally
Got my fingers crossed that the sperm analysis comes back with good news for you ❤️❤️

@primrosechill I’m so pleased your trigger shot went ok for you. Thinking of you today and wishing you all the very best for your egg collection 💚

I love your idea of an ivf thread for any of us that move onto that. Please do keep posting here though ☺️

Head shooting pains are easing slightly, my joints and bones really do ache so at the very least I’m hoping I had a good immune response to the mmr!
Went on two mega long walks yesterday while the weather was so good. Had a stop off at the pub outside and had a cup of tea, was so nice to be around people and hear everyone chatting in the gorgeous sunshine.

@MrsKin90 so good to hear from you, been thinking of you and hope you are ok ☺️ Sending my best wishes for a good SA result for you and your husband this week, fingers crossed xx

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob
I totally agree it was so lovely at the weekend and even more so it was lovely to see other people !!

Long May the reduction in restrictions continue ❤️
Hope everyone is doing well today x

Hi lovely ladies, thank you all for such kind words - I really did feel like there was a bunch of women across the country keeping their fingers crossed for me. I started a different thread on IVF but those ladies don't seem half as engaged/lovely as you (shhhh don't tell them ahahaha)

So far only good news: First egg collection on Monday gave us 8 eggs and 6 of them have fertilised! So that's six chances at a sticky bean. First chance this Saturday: I'm going back in for a fresh transfer, let's see how it goes. Keep everything crossed for me! I'm feeling hopeful.

@MrsKin90 hoping the SA comes back perfect! And if it doesn't, at least it gives you some answers and something to focus on! It's good news either way.

@Carol1980 have you decided when you're going to test?

@Oilyoilyoilgob glad you got to enjoy the sun, keep taking care of yourself lovely.

@HannahAD welcome!

@primrosechill wow 6 of the eggs fertilised?! That's fantastic! Well done you and DH! Will be keeping everything crossed for you that the transfer goes well and at least one bean sticks on Saturday . Keep us update on how you get on xx

Six egg-babies! 🐣🐣🐣🐣🐣🐣 That's fantastic @primrosechill what good eggos you must have! 🥰 Do they only give one fertilised egg at a time? Could you barter for two? 🤔 😂 Not that you'd necessarily want to but if it were me I think I'd ask for three! What lovely news so far! ❤️

@Oilyoilyoilgob how is your head now? Do you think acupuncture is causing it?! 😂 Nuts I know but I have been getting the worst headaches since I started going to acupuncture. And spots! I'm trying to think it's clearing out all the rubbish in my system but I'm not sure that's how it works.

Thanks for the positive wishes for the sperm analysis results ladies 😊 it'll be nice to know if that is the reason or not. I can't remember if I've said here but hubby takes some medication which can cause infertility but I'd been so focused on me and my weight my PCOS being an issue I'd forgotten all about it 😳 so if the results are bad we're going to look at reducing his medication to see if that helps. It'll be a nice stepping stone/plan of action whilst we wait for my weight to drop off magically into a healthy BMI (which is absolutely how it happens isn't it?!).

How is everyone? Enjoying the sunnier days hopefully 🥰

@Makingnumber2 thank you! I have to say I'm feeling very fertile today after hearing the results 😂 which is a nice change after certainly NOT feeling fertile, continuously getting BFNs for over a year... how are you getting on??

@MrsKin90 ah man, so many things to think and worry about! all I can say is my friends just got pregnant with pcos, endo and male factor - so as much as it might sometimes seem like everything is against you, at the end of the day it really is a lottery and you just might get your lucky ticket despite the odds 🍀

@MrsKin90 and I forgot to answer - yes, in my age group and with my (lack of) history, then would only transfer one embryo at a time - and we'll be freezing the next one for the next cycles 🥶 (but hoping deeply that we wont need them 🤞🏼)

we'll be freezing the OTHER ones, not "the next one" - sorry, multitasking is not working out for me today 😂

@primrosechill thanks 🥰 I'm trying to stay positive and I know stranger things have happened! Super super hoping you don't need the others ones!... Although do they just keep them in storage in case you want another one? I'm really excited for you 😊 🤞🤞

@MrsKin90 yes they do - so if the one we transfer fresh this cycle doesn't stick, we would probably go for a frozen embryo transfer next cycle (means fewer steps for me in the first half of the cycle, too)

Whoa @primrosechill SIX beautiful eggs 🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚 woohoo 🥳🥳🥳 I’m so proud of your ovaries ha! Thank you so much for coming back to let us know, I’ve been thinking of you since this morning and I’m absolutely delighted for you both.

I am sending and wishing you sooooo much good luck 🍀💚 Awww I’m really happy reading this, I will go to bed happy!

@MrsKin90 oh I wish I could say the headaches were down to acupuncture but sadly I don’t think so, I feel good during and the the only difference I feel is very tired the next day!
My head pains started 5/4 on period day 1, I’d had my Covid jab 26/3 and then my second mmr 8/4 so I think it was a combo of hormones and jabs.
They’ve eased today but I have to say the mmr jabs really did provoke a really strong reaction in me, I’ve been a bit unwell from them so I can only hope I’ve got maximum coverage of all 3 buggers 😅

It could be your acupuncture causing headaches, but then could it be if you’ve changed your eating/drinking maybe? Stress or tension?
The GP recommended ibuprofen to me but I still got the pains but it helped having my husband massage my neck and upper back, maybe try some heat and massage therapy? Or book in for a massage? Keep treating yourself nicely and I hope your headaches go soon.
I’m keeping everything crossed for a good sperm result for you both this week-I’m very invested in the ovaries and testicles featured on this thread 😅

My opks are showing dark today, we half-ish had sex (performance anxiety for him kicked in 😕) and husband came inside me but we decided to skip softdisc for tonight. We’ll SI tomorrow too, but decided to wait until now has my opks were staying very low until this afternoon.

I’m taking this month as a bit of a chilled one as I’ve felt so poorly the last week, I’m determined not to stress and have these headaches back so it’s in the hands of the gods.

Hope everyone is continuing to enjoy the sunnier days, and taking care yourselves mentally and physically 💚 xx

Sorry to hear about your headaches @MrsKin90- I saw an infograph once which showed the different areas you could feel a headache in and it said what 'type' of headache each was likely to be e.g. stress/tension headache. Maybe google to take a look? Also often neck/shoulder/back issues can cause bad ongoing headaches so perhaps some yoga stretching or chiro/osteo visit might be helpful?
Hope they go soon and best of luck with your husband's SA results - will be keeping everything crossed!

@Oilyoilyoilgob poor you, you've really had a rough month with the jab effects! I'm glad all the side effects are easing now and perfect timing for FW ttoo by the sounds of it! Great news that you and DH could do the 'traditional' method yday.

I think I'm 9dpo and my symptom spotting has started already as I knew it eventually would! TBH it's more the absence of symptoms that I'm spotting so not feeling hopeful. According to Ovia AF is due tomorrow and today is CD31 so I'm not sure what my cycle will ac tually do. It's all out of kilter a bit due to the d and c. I've had some cramping here and there- nothing major or ongoing so think it could go either way! Would be my shortest luteal phase ever though is AF does show tomorrow. Time will tell!

@Makingnumber2 well I’m very much hoping you don’t get your period, then all those predictions can feck off 😁 I hope your cramps are feeling ok and that they are implant cramps 🙏🏻🤞🏻
Your body might be a bit up and down after all you’ve been through, so make sure to be nice to yourself ☺️

It was the best timing it could be re easing of symptoms, the pains are still there but easing, so acupuncture today will be nice.
Did SI this morning so I’ll hopefully be covered for ovulation today/tomorrow.

I’ve just ordered another Medichecks check for women’s health inc cholesterols etc. My husband got his results back and it was so in depth! I think I’m getting addicted 😬 This journey is teaching me to really treat my body kinder.
Had a wobble this morning about not starting this journey earlier, we’ve had a blast over the years and travelled to some wonderful places but I did start thinking ‘if only I’d tried sooner’ I think I’m wobbly as we have our zoom meeting with the ivf consultant tonight, it’s making me feel a bit strange.

Hope everyone is ok, active or lurking I’m thinking of you all 💚

I need to look into these medichecks I think although I would be terrified by the prospect of the results being bad... but I think it’s better to know what is what so you can address any issues. Great news you got an SI in today already! Totally understandable you are feeling wobbly because of the appointment tonight- I hope it goes really well and leaves you feeling positive about the options available. I know exactly what you mean about what ifs- when I start thinking about them (not necessarily ones about Ttc although sometimes it’s about that) I try to be really firm with myself and tell myself: Stop- you cant change the past only the future and if you spend your energy worrying about what if then you will miss the chance to make the changes you want.
I know it is so much easier said than done though once those thoughts take a hold. Sending a big hug and a hand hold to get you through to this evening xx

@Makingnumber2 they are lovely words, thank you ever so much 💚 it’s hard isn’t it, I’ve told myself to quit it because that time has gone now, and did have an absolutely wonderful time. I’m just scared about my eggs 😕

I also silently last night started ticking about the erection issues etc and admit (ashamedly) that I felt a bit annoyed about it all. Think this stemmed from seeing a pregnancy announcement yet again on Facebook. It’s every time I go on, I’d laugh if it didn’t upset me because my god

Oops! My god the timings of seeing the FB posts, child number 3 for a set of friends on the way and I think that set off my feelings of being hacked off and worried.
I deliberately keep off it but yet again it was a click through link to another business and bam, there’s the top post when I click the back button.
I must remember to never click the back button and just cancel the page 🙈

Thank you very much for your kind words and saying how you’ve felt. It’s always nice to not feel as lonely on this thread xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob ugh I'm sorry you saw that- it is horribly hard to hear of others falling pregnant when you are trying yourself and especially if you've been trying for as long as you have now.
I have a friend who started trying in Jan and I'm ashamed to say I cannot face asking her how it's going because even thinking about her saying: oh yeh I'm 8 weeks pregnant or whatever, makes my stomach actually twist a bit. Even though I would be so delighted for her- the stomach twist would definitely be my first response.

@Makingnumber2 I completely understand, I want to say don’t feel ashamed but I agree with you-I have the same feelings!

I’m always delighted for people with any kind of lovely news but when it’s friends, and you have to plaster a smile on while hurting inside, then it is different. So you’re not alone in those feelings.

Yesterday I was almost angry “they’re having number 3 and we can’t get number 1” and I do feel ashamed of the reactions I get but hey ho, they’re there and I can’t deny them!

I also got irrational rage reading the Mirror today and seeing Kate lawlor tell all about getting pregnant age 40 on the first try. I wonder is ovulation rage a thing because I’ve had it 😁

Hope you are feeling ok today with your cramping xx

Well, had the zoom consultation with the ivf consultant. Went ok, all very clinical and lists of questions which is normal but it felt very odd to be saying everything out loud about our journey.

I went in feeling good about my amh level only for him to warn about over stimulated ovaries and that it could be an indicator of pcos, fibroids etc etc so that’s really pissed on my amh chips! Also with my health anxiety already picturing what the worst could be and needing an operation 🙄

We will wait to hear from them regarding an ultrasound for me and husband needs an in depth speed test. He said at our age the success rate it roughly 30%. He’s going to see if we’d be eligible for any nhs funding to use before paying privately. To us that’s time dependent, he was a bit vague on their timescales.

I feel a bit flat to be honest 😕

Thanks for the headache heads up ladies 😊 I think they're always ALWAYS tension headaches 😂

Oily I'm sorry you're feeling flat. I think even if those things are markers for PCOS it's not the end of the world if you're going the IVF route anyway? They just tend to give you a more gentle medication plan don't they? I don't know the technical terms but my local fertility clinic does "light IVF" for people at risk of over stimulation? It'll be okay ❤️ 30% success is great 😊 the highest it goes is like 35-40 anyway isn't it? And good of them to check if you're eligible on the NHS. I do wonder if he works for the NHS if he can sort of shift you along the queue?? 😏 Wishful thinking maybe but...🤞🤞you can always refuse if the wait is too long and you want to crack on privately but at least you'll be making an informed decision.

I bet it was all so overwhelming and a lot to take on board and a lot to think about so it's no wonder you're feeling that way. Give yourself some time to process xx

@Oilyoilyoilgob I’m sorry too that you found the whole session left you feeling flat. I’m afraid I don’t have a clue about AMH or the percentage chances for success but from what MrsKin has said above it seems that there will still be good options even if your AMH levels are a sign of overstimulated ovaries (I assume it’s the ovaries they’re talking about?! Sorry if it isn’t). And 30% is still a 1 in 3 chance. If someone wanted to sell you a raffle ticket where you had a 1 in 3 chance of winning an amazing holiday or new house then I think all of us would buy that ticket because we would feel those are good odds. I hope you’re feeling ok this morning and that you managed to get some sleep and weren’t up worrying about this all. It’s good they will look for NHS funding rest too. Sending you a big hug xx